2014 RBC Canadian Open scores: Tim Petrovic, Michael Putnam lead but Taylor Pendrith steals show

The first round of the Canadian Open is in the books at Royal Montreal, and we have a two-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. The course was receptive to plenty of red numbers and mid-60s rounds, and the duo of Tim Petrovic and Michael Putnam are out in front at 6-under. Putnam did not make a bogey all day, and caught fire on Royal Montreal’s front nine for a 31 to bolt to the top of the board with a 64. Petrovic also did his damage on the front nine with a matching 31, and then picked up an eagle at the par-5 12th to post his 64.

But the story of the first day is probably the Canadian amateur Taylor Pendrith, who just finished up at Kent State and posted a 65 in his first ever PGA Tour round. Pendrith rolled in a birdie on the 18th to move within a shot of the lead, an amazing story given his lack of experience and the 60-year drought that Canadians have endured at their national championship.

The best options to end that 60-year losing streak are probably Graham DeLaet and David Hearn, who are both in the red and in position, but Pendrith is the early and best Canadian story. It will be tough to stay near the top, but a great first day story nonetheless.

Graeme McDowell, one of those world-class players in that RBC stable I mentioned this morning, is one of the bigger names under-par. McDowell had the shot of the day on the hardest hole at Royal Montreal, holing out from about 215 yards for an eagle two.

That shot would be the difference for McDowell, who finished at 2-under. The Ulsterman is under a little bit of pressure to make a late run and lock up his spot on what will be a loaded Euro Ryder Cup team. A strong showing here to pair with his French Open win earlier this month would do it for one of the better match play golfers in the world.

Hunter Mahan, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, and Jim Fuyrk are also part of that RBC-backed group, and they’re all under-par as well. Furyk is in at 3-under, along with Hearn, the top Canadian option in the field. Defending champ Snedeker is 1-under and in a tie for 44th. It’s a bunched-up board for now, but with low rounds out there, someone could get hot on Friday and get a little distance on the rest the field.

Here’s where the field stands after 18 holes: